Barcelona: Gaudi, paella, and the ocean

My family and I took a vacation to Barcelona in October. Despite me having viral bronchitis the entire time, it was very fun, and I just can’t stop gushing about Gaudi’s architecture! He’s like a photographer – he thinks about how light is going to affect his work. As someone who thrives on light, I can appreciate that. Take Chicago for example – we are very lacking in light these days and it sure makes a big difference in how I feel each day!

Casa Battlo, another house built by Gaudi that looks like it has a dragon on the roof

Its central staircase evokes light and ocean

Gaudi’s masterpiece: La Sagrada Familia, a massive cathedral that is yet to be finished – currently they’re hoping to finish it by the centennial death of Gaudi in 2026. The two lower photos show detail from the nativity and resurrection facade

The most incredible ceiling in the world

Lots of light

We took the elevator up 50m to climb down the outside spires. Pretty cool. You know my love for photographing wedding images on staircases

We also visited Park Guell. We timed it on a beautiful day with great light for some family photos!

We ate a lot of paella. Mmm. We also had one really really great dinner the last night at Restaurant Montiel – highly recommended!

On our last day we took a super-private tour with Spanish Trails – a Barcelona-area excursion company run by two Americans. It was so enjoyable – it ended up just being my family and the guide. We toured the northern coast of Barcelona called Costa Brava. It is rugged and given that it was late in the season, very quiet.. and we timed it on a day with gorgeous weather

Along the seaside of Calella de Palafrugell

This was an archaeological site of Iberian village from 2 BC

We learned how to make our pan con tomate (bread with tomato… and rubbed with garlic, olive oil, add a dash of salt. yum!)

Girona, a well-preserved medieval town along a river. This shot reminds me of a combination of the Newhavn district in Stockholm and Venice